The weekend (Part 1)... A litte long winded..

After a long wait... I finally got my first long weekend in the States... in fact, it's the first public holiday that my firm has since I joined.My firm has very cleverly consolidated the 4 of the 10 (pathetic) holidays in the year with the other 4 public holidays to give us 4 4-day long weekends, except for Christmas and New Year. Hence we didn't go for any holidays until the weekend before. And it was certainly a super weekend packed with fun filled activities.

The weekend lasted from Friday till Monday. and on Friday, we woke up at 6am (are we crazy!!) so that we can set off by 630am.

First up was tubing. it was merely flowing down a slow river on a rubber tire. Since we have not seen water/river/sea for ages, this was an exciting journey down the river. Time 11am... While we are nearing Summer, the water was deceivingly freezing... i bet it must be 10-15 degrees C as we jump in... for once.. we appreciate the heat from the sun...It soon became a slow and painful process, as a combination of neck ache and the impact from the cold water turned the short 4 hours ride into somewhat like a endless road to nothingness.Finally at abt 3pm, (the person told us that the trip will last 5-7 hrs.. I am glad it didn't last that long) we got to the finished line.

While I must say that the journey was interesting and I would say it's recommended, the lack of movement in the river and the temperature of the water made the journey less enjoyable than expected. I did have my fair share of fun in the river. We left thereafter to check into out hotel. A room for 2 person (at most 4), but booked for 6 pple. Doesn't matter, we will survive. We headed towards San Antonio downtown for our dinner.

Once again, back to the beautiful Riverwalk. We had our dinner at Casa Rios, the same place as before. (boring boring... that's me). I would have hoped that Thinmonkey and Sharpie would walk around more, since it's their first time there. Nonetheless, they were either unimpressed, or too paiseh (feeling bad) about making us walk with them, and we take off to go back to our hotel soon after. I am sure they did not see the same river walk that I saw... me... I was seriously impressed and totally fell in love with the place... they? unmoved. The trip back to the hotel (actually we stayed in a Inn) was a short one, and everyone quickly rushed to get ready for bed, and more importantly, the big day to SIX FLAGS FIESTA!!!

"The day" is finally here. Just a brief background, Six Flags is an organisation with Theme parks all over the States, and even in Mexico. Its Theme Parks are well known for being extremely exciting. Since the park opens at 10am, it's only human nature (I used to say being typical Singaporean, but I realised people here are also kiasu), we got there at abt 930, ready to make full use of every cent of the $45 we paid, for the season pass. First up, SUPERMAN... it's an exhilarating ride, no floor board, magnificent structure, great adrenalin rush... worth it! We took other rides too... all were good... but, in my opinion, none beats SUPERMAN (and I must say the opinion is divided amongst us).

Most are roller coaster rides, and the one that I will not go back to is The Rattler. This is the old fashion roller coaster built on wooden structure. While the excitement is no less than the others, the pain it inflict on my physical being far outweigh the joy it gave to the mental one..... becoz of the wooden structure, the seat moves greatly from side to side while on the ride. Hence it resulted in Zing having this Orh Cheen (blue black) under her arm. The pain from hitting the sides caused more distress than the downward rush of the roller coaster.

It was a hard day as we rushed from one ride to another, and by 2pm, most of us were beaten by the spinning effect of the rides. Sad to say, We had to call a stop to the rides. Being me, I had to go for a second round of the rides in order to thoroughly enjoy the park. So I had to jio the "always wanna have fun" Thinmonkey along... to the SUPERMAN... this time round, i got a seat on the front row!! The experience is definitely a better one... I managed to see and expreience fully the whole part of the ride... which makes it more enjoyable... and once again.. SUPERMAN did not fail me... I declared myself a satisfied customer...

Oh yes... this Theme Park, Six Flags Fiesta, is more well known for the shows... in fact, it won the "best show" award for one of its shows. We had to stay for one, not the award winning one though. It was a laser display, talking abt the story of Texas.. and ended with some nice fireworks... it is always easy to enjoy fireworks displays... we love it... some hoped for more... I was.... hmm... still... Satisfied.. Ready for day 3!!

Project Money Saver

After two rather serious and heavy post previously, i decided that i better post something that is more of me.... something less heavy (not me.. i am heavy)... and something light....

It's about a part of this ongoing project, call "Project Money Saver".... The project is, as the name suggests, a project to save money... (duh!)...

And one integral part of this project is..... my lunch!!

Since I have been on the current engagement (abt 5 weeks back), I have tried to bring lunch frequently (abt 3 weeks out of 5)... to the "me" from Singapore, bringing lunch to work is a big "no-no". *Where got time to cook? Bring lunch, so ma fan (troublesome), just buy lah! How must only(singlish accent)?*

But since I got here, I have been doing the Math everyday... the figures simply do not add up... while I earn more here, I do actually have less... (frustrating irony)... So the solution to this frustration is.... be a GIAM KANA (see footnote A). I decided to bring lunch when i saw that my senior, a Filiphino, is also bringing lunch to save money... What's the big deal you might ask... US$7-10 is THE big deal... as opposed to bringing my own lunch... I probably spend abt $5-7 extra each day... it all adds up...

So I had the wonderful idea of cooking double portion for dinner (when I was having dinner alone), and saving half of that for lunch the next day. I even had to invest in a set of containers (only $2) for this part of "Project Money Saver". The very next day, I simply have to heat up my lunch in the microwave... it is also healthier than having the sandwiches and the fried stuff in the deli (like canteen).

Here's a look at my lunch for today:

It may be a little difficult to see. On the left, I have cut Chicken thighs stir fried with dried chilli and ginger, and on the right i have my staple, rice, with greens, brocolli with oyster sauce.

Looks simple.... it's simply delicious... (and my mum always tells me... dont force yourself to eat your own lunch just to save money.... I didnt force myself to eat... i like my lunch... haha)

Here's a look at the aftermath:

ALL CLEANED UP! eh... except a bit of vegge, i cooked more than I could finish....

But it's all fun... and I think it's a big money saver....

FOOTNOTE A:

Giam kana

Pronunciation: 'kiä-am\m-ga&nar

Function: noun

A person who is unusually thrifty. This person will choose the cheapest meat when there are more expensive ones. He will drive to another supermarket, just because the chicken thighs cost $1.80 for 4 large parts (when the present one cost $3).... he will see where is the cheapest petrol and die die try to refuel there... he will think of different permutations and combinations to maximise any additional benefit that he receives... He is me... and He will start the great "PROJECT MONEY SAVER"...

The world Cup is coming....

Recently, I found out from a friend that Mediacorp is screening just FOUR pathetic matches only. Background knowledge: Opening, semis, and finals. 4 years ago, they showed matches from the quarter finals... before that, alot more..

I was quite pissed by the fact that the Broadcasters are milking the less well off Singaporeans... And it was outrageously obvious to me that the fault lies with the broadcasters, whom, in my opinion, had a choice, and chose to milk the powerless consumers (in a monopolised industry)

The first thought I had was to post it on my regular online forum, Clubsnap. While I received many one liner agreeing with my post, there was this particular member who thoroughly opposed to my idea...

My first response... bring him down... little did i know that he is some kind of a linguist.. use many cheem words, and extreme situations to change the whole focus of the discussion...

I retaliated.... he wrote back... I was adamant that I am correct.... that was until I saw other posts supporting his view too (and I believe both of them are wrong)... haha..

anyway... the supporting post made me stood back and look at myself... I often hope that some genuine fren will tell me about my actions... like I told someone close, I often engaged in discussions when i feel strongly about things... and when I feel strongly about things, it's usually when I feel I am right... though at the end of it, you sometimes feel silly that you actually didnt see the flip side of things... But nobody goes into a discussion knowing that he is wrong... he is usually convinced that he is right, until proven otherwise..

The events above made me realise how we lose ourselves sometimes in arguments... like what a Pastor said before... when everyone else appears to be wrong... it's time to look at who is actually wrong..

For me, as a rule of thumb, whenever there's a second opinion against mine... I will start to examine (not doubt) my stand... am I taking it too far? Am I taking the extreme stand? or simply.. Am I wrong?

Just a note for my thoughts....

Still busy at work, no time for quality post.... going for first public holidays this long weekend!!

For the benefit of those who are interested in my discussion in the forum, the link is here:
http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=196876

General Election 2006!

As the whole of Singapore knows, the GE was on 5/5/06. This GE, unlike the previous one, was more keenly contested. For me, there was a whole greater meaning.... I seriously didnt think much abt politics in Singapore during the last election. Furthermore, I was in Dragon Lee's ward... who would think that there will be suicide squads in Singapore...

This time round, despite being miles away from home, I followed the happenings with more interest. While I didnt read the news daily, I did keep up with the major happenings... (on Gomes' adventure, and the "fixing" promise of his truly).

I must say I was rooting for the opposition, especially the seemingly more credible WP. I think it's high time for an alternative voice... not a whimper from someone within the same party, not two or three cats meowing... but at least have 5-6 dogs barking (didnt mean to insult anyone)... so much that we can put up the sign "BEWARE OF DOGS" to the ruling party...

The whole experience was enhanced by a few blogs that I read, that I feel, did a better job at presenting the different perspectives of the parties involved in election, than our Channel (PAP) News Asia, and Media (pardon my language) Cock Suker.....

I have always know that press in Singapore is very much controlled, and that we always should try to expose ourselves to views outside local sources. However, due to the nature of the country (only a small red dot), I didnt see much news that concerns Singapore. Thanks to the Internet, we are now able to explores other sources within Singapore... the voices of People like you and me... obviously people who can write better... with views that are not slanted too much to one side....

The blogs that I am impressed with are sg Election 06 and rockson. From these blogs, i found out how the media in Singapore refuses to recognise the large crowd that visit the opposition rallies... and how much of an opposition basher it is (out of 10 pieces of news regarding election.... 9 on how good PAP is doing... the tenth on how poor opposition is).

A few funny articles concerning the "fixing" that PM wanted to do made the articles less difficult to digest....

There are a few issues that raises my concerns too... being a Singaporean who reads a decent bit about the election when it is near.... I am always read about the carrot that are dangled in the opposition wards. The $80 mil upgrading... the $100mil improvements.

I used to think...it's all dirty politics... none of my concern. It's only in one of these articles that i read that opened my eyes.... the "$80 mil" and "$100 mil"..... arent these the money of Singaporeans? Are these the funds of PAP, such that they can use it to their advantage? Are they actually using our money to dictate what they want us to do? I felt a bit unjust, and despite not living anywhere near these two opposition wards, I feel victimised by the ruling party...

That being said... I must admit that (and I never stop telling Americans I meet) PAP has done a brilliant job in bringing the country to where it is... how can a country that is smaller than Houston be that developed, be that advance... and all the good things that there is..

However, it may come a time when alternative voice is desired... not in a disruptive way (such that the PM must spend ALL HIS TIME fixing), but in a way that reduce the possibility of NKF happening... that will stop Straits times from increasing the price from 60cts to 80cts without giving true accountability to the public... that the transport companies will think hard before they raise the fare again... (I think it's due to that stupid TV... I watch it though... hehe)

I would like to quote my ex-colleague, now a friend, 6% of Aljunied, YOU COULD HAVE CHANGED SINGAPORE! While I think it's brought to a little extreme....I somewhat was hoping Aljunied is lost... It's more of my support for a opposing voice, than being against whoever PAP has placed in the GRC...

I certainly hope Sylvia Lim will do a good job as an NMP... and increase her profile such that she can be a full MP in the next election. I hope the government will not resort to dirty politics to bring her down (fat hope!) as she seems like a decent Singaporean...

Like one blog described people like me... "educated, but lost heart... lost hope... so couldnt care less about politics in my own country"....

I hope this could signal a return of hope and heart for pple like me....

Busy busy busy

Been rather busy lately….

Work has been good… filled with things to do… 6 days a week…

Colleagues are nice. Client is good too….

But working overseas will always have its limitations. You are after all, A FOREIGNER. You look different, talks differently, think in a different way… and definitely shares different kinda jokes..

Thank God, I have been blessed with rather understanding colleagues and superiors.

I wish I am less lazy to write more… but the truth is… I am not…

Havent been regular on my quiet time…. My excuses is… I have to wake up at 640 each day to try to get to work before 8am… how to stay up late to do quiet time… Bad excuse though…

God, please help me back “on my feet”. One good news to report though… I am going to join a cell group, or small group as it is known to them. It will be awkward initially I am sure, but I hope it will be fun!